216 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



the same time as do the Chipping Sparrows, like them not col- 

 lecting in flocks at this season ; and about the middle of May 

 they begin to build their nests. Their usual haunts, in sum- 

 mer, are pastures, fields (rather seldom those near swamps), 

 and the "scrub." In these places they feed upon seeds and 

 caterpillars, and occasionally, to obtain the former, venture to 

 the roads and roadsides. But they are habitually much less 

 familiar towards man than their near relations, the well known 

 Chipping Sparrows, and lead a more retired life. In Sep- 

 tember they collect in flocks, and leave us before October is 

 far advanced. At this time they are bolder than before, and 

 associate somewhat with other species especially the "Chip- 

 pers" ; feeding on the roadsides, and in pastures, stubble-fields, 

 and vegetable-gardens. Their powers of flight are not great, 

 though they are quite nimble on the ground, and they do not 

 ordinarily perch at a greater height than on fences or bushes. 

 When frightened, they often disappear among the latter, but 

 the female, when on her nest, is often courageous, and permits 

 a near approach. 



(d). As has just been said, the Field Sparrows occasionally 

 remain on their nests (particularly when these are in bushes) , 

 until one can see them looking up with an anxious, appealing 

 expression, which is very charming. Sometimes, however, al- 

 most always when the nest is on the ground, they take to 

 flight, when one intrudes too boldly, though they at once return 

 to the immediate neighborhood, and express their feelings by 

 the utterance of repeated chips. Wilson speaks of their chir- 

 ruping, by which he probably refers to their occasional twitters, 

 but he says that they have no song. But the Field Sparrows 

 do sing, and very sweetly, most often in the early morning and 

 towards evening, though also at other times of the day. Their 

 notes are sweet and very clear, and have been likened to the 

 tinkling of a bell. They open with a few exquisitely modu- 

 lated whistles, each higher and a very little louder than the 

 preceding, and close with a sweet trill. But they are often 

 varied; and, says Mr. Allen, u the songs of the males" in 

 Florida " were so different from those of the northern bird that 



